Introduction to the First Council of Ephesus — AD 431
Reasons for Convening the Council
The Heresy of Pelagius — Pelagianism
Pelagius was a monk and priest from Britain. He taught that “Adam’s sin affected him alone, without extending to the rest of the human race,” and that “every person, from birth, is like Adam before his fall.” He further claimed that “through natural strength, a person can attain the highest degrees of holiness without waiting for the assistance of grace.”
These corrupt teachings plainly undermine the glorious mystery of redemption and diminish the value of the blood of the Lord Christ.
“Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin.” (Romans 5:12)
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Pelagius began spreading his heresy throughout various countries, until the First Council of Ephesus pronounced an anathema against him and his teaching.
The Heresy of Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople
He taught that in Christ, to whom be glory, there are two hypostases, two persons, and two natures.
From this, he concluded that the Holy Virgin should not be called “Mother of God.”
He also criticized the Magi for bowing down in worship before the child Jesus.
He removed the final portion of each of the three invocations of the Trisagion, which the Church chants in its prayers. Using the authority of his office, he began spreading his heresy and corrupt teachings everywhere through certain priests and bishops. When Pope Cyril heard of his heresy, he wrote to refute it and establish the correct teaching, and sent him many letters. Nevertheless, Nestorius did not abandon his corrupt teachings.
The Sessions of the Council
Pope Cyril sent many letters to Nestorius, but Nestorius refused to discuss the matter. These letters struck him like violent blows of a hammer upon an anvil. He became intensely angry and sent the Pope a letter overflowing with indignation and rebuke.
The Pope’s envoys spent a month trying to meet Nestorius or speak with him, but to no avail. Since he refused to receive them, they returned to Alexandria.
A Local Council
The Pope of Alexandria convened a local council with the bishops to establish a clear and firm position for safeguarding the faith before the council. It unanimously decreed adherence to the Nicene Creed. They also composed an introduction to it, drawing upon Holy Scripture: “We magnify you, O Mother of the True Light.”
The Pope sent letters explaining the truths of the faith to the emperor’s wife and to his sisters, Pulcheria, Arcadia, and Marina. He did this to prevent Nestorius from influencing his friend, Emperor Theodosius the Younger.
He also sent letters to John, Bishop of Antioch; Bonius, Bishop of Jerusalem; and Acacius, Bishop of Aleppo. The Pope composed the anathemas, and the fathers of the Alexandrian council sent them to Nestorius, demanding that he return to the orthodox faith and sign them.
The Pope also sent two letters to the priests and monks of Constantinople. The Twelve Anathemas demonstrate the depth of Orthodox doctrine and the faith of the Coptic Church.
Nestorius refused to sign the anathemas. Instead, he wrote articles against them in support of his own heresy, assisted by certain bishops of Antioch.
Division thus began within the one Church: Rome, Jerusalem, and Asia Minor stood beside the Pope of Alexandria, while Antioch sided with Nestorius.
The situation became more complicated when Nestorius stirred up the emperor against the Pope because he had written to the emperor’s sisters and wife without his permission. The emperor therefore sent the Pope a strongly worded letter and summoned the bishops to an ecumenical council. This summons was issued on November 19, AD 430.
The Pope of Alexandria set out with fifty bishops, Saint Shenouda the Archimandrite, Anba Biktor of Sohag, head of the Pachomian monasteries, and Dioscorus, director of the Theological School of Alexandria. The Bishop of Jerusalem followed them.
Despite the threat made against him, the Bishop of Ephesus welcomed them.
The Bishop of Rome sent two bishops and a priest, supporting them with a letter instructing them to act according to the canons and decisions of the Pope of Alexandria.
Nestorius also arrived with 140 bishops and armed men, believing that he could intimidate those assembled and prevent them from issuing a decision against him.
The First Council of Ephesus
The council’s sessions began in the Church of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus on June 7, AD 431, the Feast of Pentecost. Two hundred bishops attended, supported by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Among Nestorius’s supporters were Irenaeus, a member of the imperial court, and Candidian, the emperor’s representative.
The Problem of the Antiochene Delegation’s Delay
When the Antiochene delegation was delayed, the bishops decided to postpone the opening until its arrival. Meanwhile, informal discussions were held with Nestorius in an attempt to persuade him to recant, but their efforts came to nothing.
The proceedings were delayed for sixteen days because of the long journey and the illness of the horses. The Antiochene delegation sent two bishops carrying advice that the council should not postpone its meetings. This was understood to mean that John of Antioch did not wish to attend so that he would not have to take part in passing judgment upon his friend Nestorius.
The council’s sessions then began in the cathedral of Ephesus, which bore the name of “the Virgin, Mother of God.”
Pope Cyril of Alexandria was chosen to preside over the council.
Nestorius did not attend. He was summoned three times, but considered his attendance unnecessary. He then sent a letter stating that he would attend only when his friend John, Patriarch of Antioch, was present.
The first session was held, and the decisions of the Council of Alexandria and the heresy of Nestorius were read. The council approved the decisions and ruled that Nestorius be deposed from his office and excluded from all priestly communion.
The council sent Nestorius a written notification of his excommunication.
The council then affirmed that the glorious mystery of the Incarnation rests upon the union of divinity and humanity in the hypostasis of the eternal Word, without separation, mingling, or change.
It affirmed that the Holy Virgin Mary is the “Mother of God.”
The fathers composed the introduction to the Creed beginning with the words, “We magnify you, O Mother of the True Light.”
The council then examined the heresy of Pelagius and debated with him. When he did not recant, it pronounced an anathema against him and his teaching.
The council announced its decisions to the people, who rejoiced and acclaimed Saint Cyril.
Nestorius did not accept the judgment. Word was then sent to the emperor and to Candidian.
The Arrival of the Patriarch of Antioch and His Refusal to Recognize the Decisions
When the Patriarch of Antioch arrived, he refused to recognize the decisions because he had not been present, and asked the bishops to reconvene the council.
The council’s second session was held on July 10, AD 431. The Patriarch of Antioch refused to attend with the others despite being summoned several times. The council was therefore compelled to excommunicate him. It also sent a letter to the emperor setting out all its proceedings.
The council drew up eight further decisions concerning the Church. It concluded after Maximian was chosen as Bishop of Constantinople in place of the deposed Nestorius.
The bishops returned to their sees, and the Pope returned to Alexandria, where his people received him with great joy.
The fathers approved the emperor’s decision to exile Nestorius to Mount Qusqam in Egypt because of its people’s steadfast adherence to the faith. The Hill of Nestorius still exists to this day.
